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Sunday, January 1, 2017

The Kiss Goodbye

The things in my life that serve me so well
Like cars and computers, our beds and doorbell
And everything else we use without thought
And natural things that cannot be bought
Like rocks, trees and flowers, grass, even dirt
Or sunshine and rain, the sounds of Schubert.
I think all these things have life, yes, I do!
And once they’re created, they live! Yes! It’s true!
And when they break down and are no longer needed, I kiss all our old things goodbye.

Each thing around us has life and a soul
Inanimate things; a building, a bowl.
Don’t say “you’re crazy,” don’t call me a fool
(I know when I say this I face ridicule)
It’s just how it is. Can’t help how I feel.
The life that I think things have is really real
(Well, that’s what I think and maybe I’m right
No one’s proved it different, but it’s my insight.)
And when they break down and are no longer needed, I kiss all our old things goodbye.

Our washer and dryer is one example
Of two things that work for me. Just a sample
Of thankless drudgery, here so that I
Don’t have to scrub clothes, then hang ’em to dry.
Dishwashers, lawnmowers, furnaces, fans
Garbage disposals, electric frypans.
The grey rock that holds our door open for air
That big, soft green cushion that softens my chair
All of these things give their whole lives to me
Endlessly, willingly. You must agree!
So when they break down and finally die
I have to say, “thank you.” A tear’s in my eye
Because they had life and now it must end
I owe them that much. They’ve been a good friend.
And when they break down and are no longer needed, I kiss all our old things goodbye.

When things in my life have worked hard to serve me
I can’t just discard them. That would unnerve me.
If, for example, our car has grown old
And rusted and still, its motor now cold
And it just can’t travel even one mile
(And fixing it really would not be worthwhile,)
I’d have to replace it, but when it came time
To have it junk-piled, it would be a crime
Not to say “Thank you for your selfless toil
You’ve always been faithful, you’ve always loyal.”
And when they break down and are no longer needed, I kiss all our old things goodbye.